Other People's Money

Oh, we are having such fun spending other people's money! We went today to Daisy School to see the kids who need custom desks. We only have a small amount set aside for this, so when the deputy provided us with a list of 19 children that needed desks, it was really tough to say that we could only manage 4-6...

So, we took measurements for 15 and will try to do a little finangling to find the money. Our friend mentioned that Windsor Highschool in North Vancouver is interested in supporting Daisy, so I will plant the seed there!

Thanks to everyone who is ordering jewelry -- I know I have confused the pricing, so basically, tell me how many pieces you want and how much you want to spend and I will take it from there. Or send me a note with specific questions and I will make sure you, the jeweler and the community benefits!

As I am sitting here in this tiny cyber cafe, looking out the door at the SomKen petrol station, a mama and baby goat just walked by and a women wandered in to see if I would like to buy some ground nuts or a drink. Terry and I wonder what we will do without seeing cows in the most unusual places when we leave! A young woman just walked in wearing an Obama t-shirt.

Just before we left a good friend gave us a moderate sum of money and asked us to change someone's life. I think I have met that someone. We have been taking bodabodas for over a month now and for the first time a couple of days ago, the driver spoke to me. He asked where I was from and whether I thought Kenya was good or bad. I told him that the people, the food and the sunshine are good and the dust, the roads and the leadership is bad. He told me that he had a problem, he wondered if I could help him with... He was able to go through Class 8 in school and then did not have fees for highschool (a common problem). He is wondering if I could help him with some training, perhaps driving school.

Now, before we got here everyone warned me that we would hear many sad stories and people would see us as walking piggy banks. And it is true, we have heard many sad stories and we have been sold to. But this is the first time that anyone has approached me directly asking for this kind of help. I think he is a good candidate.

We met today and he told me his ideas of either driving training or perhaps a business selling clothing. I told him I was also meeting with a friend who runs a training college in carpentry. I asked him to get more information, like costs for training, costs and potential for success of selling clothing and we will meet again on Monday. Frederick lives with his wife about a kilometer from town, has no children yet and no other family. He is afraid that when he is old he will not be able to be a bodaboda driver as it takes a lot of energy and at the end of the day he is very tired.

I'll keep you posted as I learn more about him. I get a good feeling, but of course, I almost always have a good feeling about people.

We are going to try another safari (means journey) this weekend to Eldoret, the mother of running. This means another long, cozy, bumpy matatu ride.